What is root canal treatment?
A tooth has three layers: the hard outer enamel, the dentine beneath it and, at the centre, a living tissue called the pulp, made up of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. The pulp runs down through the root canals to the tip of each root.
When bacteria reach the pulp – through deep decay, a crack or an injury – it can become inflamed or die. Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) removes the inflamed or infected pulp, cleans, shapes and disinfects the root canals, and seals them. The aim is to keep the natural tooth working instead of extracting it.
When is root canal treatment needed?
These signs can point to a problem with the pulp:
- sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the trigger is gone
- throbbing pain that starts on its own and can be worse at night
- pain when chewing or when the tooth is touched
- a tooth that has darkened in colour
- swelling of the gum, or a small pimple-like bump that discharges (a sinus tract)
Some teeth show no symptoms at all, and inflammation at the root tip is only seen on a routine X-ray. Symptoms alone are not enough for a diagnosis; the tooth is assessed with an examination, sensitivity tests and X-rays.
Pain that goes away does not always mean the problem has resolved. When the pulp dies, pain can stop for a while while infection continues at the root tip and spreads into the bone. A tooth that hurt and then went quiet is worth having checked.
What happens during treatment?
- Examination, X-rays and an assessment of whether the tooth can be saved
- Local anaesthetic to numb the area
- Isolating the tooth from saliva and removing decay
- Opening into the pulp chamber and locating the canal entrances
- Measuring the length of the canals, then cleaning and shaping them
- Rinsing the canals with disinfecting solutions
- Filling and sealing the canals
- Closing the tooth with a temporary or permanent filling
Front teeth usually have one canal; molars often have three or four, although this varies. Teeth that were treated before and have developed problems again (retreatment) generally take longer.
How many visits and how many days in Türkiye?
The number of visits depends on the tooth. Teeth with few canals and limited infection can often be finished in one visit. Where there is widespread inflammation at the root tip, ongoing discharge or complex canal anatomy, the canals may be dressed with medication and the treatment completed at a second or later visit.
If you are travelling for treatment, how many days you need depends on the tooth and is set at the examination. Allow for the filling or crown that follows, which may add days to your stay, and plan your flights only after your schedule has been set at the examination. Our page on planning your visit gives a general guide to how long different treatments take. The clinic is closed on Sundays.
What happens to the tooth afterwards?
A root-filled tooth needs a permanent restoration that seals it against bacteria. Teeth left with a temporary filling for too long can become reinfected.
- Teeth with little tissue loss may only need a permanent filling.
- Teeth with more tissue loss, especially back teeth, are often protected with a crown or onlay to reduce the risk of fracture.
- Teeth with very little structure left may need a post inside the canal to support the crown.
Read more in our guide on whether you need a crown after root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment or extraction?
| Option | Natural tooth kept? | Further treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal treatment | Yes | Filling or crown |
| Extraction and implant | No | Implant and crown |
| Extraction and bridge | No | Neighbouring teeth prepared for crowns |
| Extraction only | No | The gap can let neighbouring teeth drift |
In some cases, such as a root split along its length or severe loss of supporting bone, extraction cannot be avoided. Whether the tooth can be saved is decided after the examination and imaging. Our guide root canal treatment or extraction? compares the options in more detail.
Aftercare
- Do not eat until the numbness has worn off.
- Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until the permanent restoration is in place.
- Tenderness when chewing for a few days is common; report severe pain, swelling or fever.
- If a temporary filling falls out or breaks, contact the clinic without waiting for your next appointment.
- Healing at the root tip can be followed up with X-rays, also by your dentist at home.
How does treatment work at Rönesans?
Endodontics is one of the treatment areas at Rönesans Diş Hekimliği in Serdivan, Sakarya. Where the canal anatomy is complex, or the extent of inflammation at the root tip or a possible root fracture needs to be clarified, a three-dimensional assessment can be made with the cone-beam CT (CBCT) at the clinic. If a crown is needed afterwards, impressions can be taken with an intraoral scanner, without impression paste. You can communicate with us in English or German, and send photos or recent X-rays on WhatsApp at +90 532 363 49 54 for a preliminary review before you travel. The final plan and cost are confirmed after the examination at the clinic.